Postage-meter and mail-marking machine



A. H. PITNEY. POSTAGE METER AND MAIL MARKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR- 25| I920.

0 8 5 SHEETS-SHEET I.

Patented A. H. PITNEY.

POSTAGE METER AND MAIL MARKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR 25| I920.-

Pabented Mar. 8, 1921.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2 A. H. PITNEY. POSTAGE METER AND MAIL MARKING MACHINE.APPLICATION FILED MAR-25. 1920.

Patented Mar. 8, 1921.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

A. H. PITNEY.

POSTAGE METER AND MML MARKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 25. I920. 1,370,668, Patented Mar. 8, 1921.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

A. H. PITNEY.

POSTAGE METER AND MAIL MARKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION men mnIzs. 1920- 5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

if i I I .90 5/ I31 I 55 {IIImuumllululiihi WEI-INN i fl] A whereby thetotal num impressions made by the printing member UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE.

ARTHUR H; PITNEY, OI WILM ETTE, ILLINOIS,

ABBIGNOR, BY HEBNE ASSIGNMENTS,

CORPORATION 01' DELAWARE POSTAGE-METER AND MAIL-MARKING MACHINESpecification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 8, 1921.

Application filed March 25, 1920. Serial No. 868,701.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR H. PITNEY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Wilmette, in the county of Cook andState of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Postage-Meters andMail-Marking Machines; and I hereby declare that the following isa'full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being bad to theaccompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

This invention relates to mail marking machines and postage meters, forimpressing stamps upon envelops, cards or the like of the t e shown anddescribed in my Patents 3%. 753,207, dated February 23, 1904, and No.1,273,793, dated July 23, 1918. l :The objects of the present inventionare To improve the type of machine shown in the latter patent so thatthe printing member will beoutside of the casing and always readilyaccessible for inspection, and at the same time be inseparablyoperatively connected with the re istering mechanisms. To dispense withshi ing printing or serial numbering wheels on the printing member. Toprovide novel means whereby each ef fective operation of the printingmember shall be accurately means whereby when the printing mechanism hasmade a predetermined number of operations the related registeringmechanism will be automatically locked and remain locked until suchregistering mechanism is reset by the proper authorized arty. To providenovel total re 'stermg mechanism er of actual stamped will be recorded.To have the registering and the rinting mechanisms readily bodilyremovab e from and replaceable in the machine without the' use ofanauxiliary housing, such as is employedjn my last mentioned patent. Toprovide novel simple means for actuating the registering mechanisms fromand by the rotation of the printing member. To provide novel means forlocking the printing member against rotation when it is removed from themachine.

registered. To provide,

To provide novel means whereb the registering mechanisms will be lockedwhen they are removed from the machine; so that such mechanisms cannotbe improperly shifted or changed. To provide .novel means whereby whenthe case containing the registering mechanisms and carrying the printingmember is properly positioned in the machine the registering and rintingmechanisms are au tomatically ren ered operable. 'To provide meanswhereby when such case is removed from the machine the printing memberand the registering mechanisms are automatically locked. To providenovel means for preventing the o eration of the printing member unlessan until the inking member therefor is in proper operative position; andto enable the printing and registering mechanisms to be made smaller andlighter and enhance speed and lessen shock.

The foregoing and other minor objects of the invention are attained byand in the mechanism shown in the accompanying drawings, whichillustrate one practical embodiment of the invention, and I willhereinafter describe the same in detail with reference to said drawings;but the invention is not restricted to the specific constructions andcombinations of parts shown, although the machine illustrated is thebest practical embodiment of the invention now known to me; but itsparts areor may be capable of variation in form and arrangement andcombination within the scope of this invention as set forth in theclaims following the detailed description of such drawings.

In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the machine.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation with stacker and stacker slide omitted. Fig.3 is an enlarged detail sectional plan of the trip mechanism. Fig. I isa side view of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an enlarged part sectional plan view ofthe meter and controlling devices. Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional viewon the line 6-6, Fi 5. Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the line 7-7 Fig.5. Fig. 8 is a section on the line 88, Fig. 5. Fig. 9 is a detail. Fig.10 is an enlarged sectional view through the registernism locking plate.Fig. 14 is a detail.

General description.

The machine shown in the drawin s comprises a feed table 100 having agui e plate 101 and an envelop sealing attachment 102; a feed roller103, a separator roller 104, which is mounted in a swingable support 105by which the letters are advanced to feed rollers 106 and 107 the latterfeed roller being mounted on a swingable support 108; and theseforwarding rollers 106, 107 direct the letter or object to be printed toand past trip rollers 21, 22, hereinafter referred to, by which theletters are directed on past, the impression roller 137 and printingroller 38, hereinafter referred to, and after being postmarked orstamped the letters are discharged between rollers 108 and 109 in frontof the stacker wheel 110, by which they are stacked in the usual manneron a table or rack 111.

The aforesaid parts are all actuated in proper time with the mechanismhereinafter to be described but as they form no essential part of thepresent invention and are not claimed herein, therefore I have notexplained or illustrated the same in detail herein.

Hereinafter for the purpose of brevity I will refer to the object to beoperated upon as a letter, meaning thereby to include cards, sheets,papers, and any other object which the machine is designed or adapted tooperate upon.

The particular invention covered by the present application includesmeans for printing or app ying the postmarking stamps on the letters,and to a meter or mechanism for registerin the number of effectiveoperations 0 said printing or postmarking means; including a subtractingor limiting register, a totalregister, and the controlling devicestherefor, and means for controlling the operation of the printer by theletters being operated upon so that the printer and meter will onlyoperate when a letter is passing through the machine, and will onlyoperate once for each letter passed through the machine.

The trip mechanism.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1, 3 and 4; 21 and 22 are a pair ofrollers commonly called trip rollers, between which the letters aresuccessively passed from the feed table. The trip roller 22 ispreferably journa'led on a swingable support and guard 15, which has apart 15which projects beyond/the roller 22, and these parts are normallyyieldingly'pressed toward the roller 21 by a suitable spring, such asindicated at 22 in Fig. 1.

The shaft of the roller 21 is mounted in fixed bearings opposite theroller 22 and guard 15, and a fence or guide 16 is arranged beside andbetween. the rollers 21 and 22, beside the guard 15, and is slotted toaccommodate the rollers 21 and 22 so as not to interfere with theircontact with the letter passing between them.

A tri finger 1 is pivoted on a spindle 27 and as a curved head or end 1which projects in the path of the letter at the meeting line of therollers 21 and 22 so that a letter passing between these rollers, orbetween the fence 16 and guard 15 will strike this trip finger and willoscillate spindle 27. To spindle 27 is pinned an arm 2 and the tripfinger and arm 2 oscillate or move as one piece. The trip finger isnormally held in letter engaging position by a suitable spring, such asindicated at 28, arm 2 being arrested by abutting against a stop pin 29when the trip finger is in normal position.

The arm 2 is adapted to en a e the curved and notched end 3 of a trip in3; the said curved end bein supported and guided in a grooved mem er 13having upper and lower disk-like portions 13 which guide the end of thelink 3. The two disk-like portions prevent perpendicular movement oflink 3, and the center portion of the member 13 when engaged by thecurved end of the link 3 forces it out of engagement with the arm 2 atthe proper time. Member 13 is made eccentric in order to admit of readyadjustment thereof to operate the trip at the proper time. The trip linkis normally held in position to engage the arm 2 and the shank of themember 13 by a spring 20, as indicated in the drawin The other end oftrip link 3 is pivoted to one arm 4 ofa stop lever which is pivoted on astud 4', and which arm 4 is normally held against a stop 18 by means ofa spring 19, that thus holds the trip link normally retracted.

The stop lever 4 (see Fig. 3) has an arm 4 which normally projects intothe path of an arm' 5 of a three-armed lever plvoted on a stud 5; andwhen in normal position a roller on the arm 5 contacts with a roller onthe arm 4 and arrests the movement of the arm 5, which is normally!pressed toward the arma" by means of a link 6 under action of a spring9. The link 6 connects arm 5 with a swinging lever 7 pivoted on a studon a part 26 of the frame of the machine; and the upper free end of thislever is slottedfor engagement with a pin 8, guided in a hole in art 26;pin 8 is normally urged to project rom the face of part 26 by anexpansionspring 9.

Pin 8 is restrained from so projecting under operating conditions by.the correct functioning of the other parts of the trip mechanism in oneevent when the meter is in place and properly functioning; and by havingthe path of its motion obstructed by devices controlled by the lockingmechanism of the meter, as hereinafter described, when the registeringmechanism is locked. The pin 8 is so positioned that it will enter ahole 58 in the front of the meter casing 31 when the latter is in properposition in.

the machine, as hereinafter explained.

The triple lever, of which arm 5 forms a part, has an arm 5 whichnormally projects into the path of the finger 11! of the clutch releasemember of a clutch. 11 mounted ,on a shaft 30, which shaft is constantlydriven by a gear 30' fixed thereon and meshing with the usual train ofgearing in the machine, so as to be constantly rotated when the machineis in operation; such gearing being well known and it is not necessaryto show or describe same herein.

The clutch 11 is preferably a so-called roller clutch, of' knownconstruction and unnecessary to describe herein except in its particularrelation to the workin of this machine; the finger 11 of the c utchrelease member protrudes from the body of the clutch in position to beenga d by arm 5". A stop lug 11" on the clutc caslng is also adapted toengage arm 5" and take u the shock of the stoppage of the clutch andparts affected thereby.

The clutch 11 is normally disengaged from the shaft 30 b contact of itscontrolling finger 11" wit the arm 5", -'and the triple lever is held inthis engaging posi-' tion so long' as arm 4" arrests the movement of arm5". When the part 11 is moved back toward 11" it renders the clutchinoperative. The lug 11" relieves the com aratively light iece 11" fromevery other uty except reeasing the clutch rollers.

The triple lever having arms 5, 5, also has an arm 5 carrying a rolleradapted to engage a cam 11, turned on the clutch case; which cam engagesthe arm 5 and returns the lever to its original position to stop theclutch after it has completed one revolution. Rebound of the clutch andparts connected therewith is prevented by a pawl 12.

The meter or registering devices.

The meter for registering the operations of the printer comprises ahollow base 31 having bearings for the printer shaft; a casing 34fastened to this base carrying the registering mechanisms and lockingdevices therefor; and a printed and register actuating devices andlocking devices, the whole being so constructed that the printer and theregistering mechanisms are removable from and replaceable in the machineas a unit.

As shown the base 31 is closed by a plate 32 held in position byscrew-46, Fig. 6, which is inaccessible when the door 36 is closed andlocked. The screws fastening bar 33 to the base 31 are covered by plate32 and are also inaccessible until it is removed.

Rising from the inner end of base 31 is a standard 31 which has an arm31" at its upper end in which is journaled the u er en of a spindle 37,the lower end of w lch is journaled in bearings in the bar 33. Spindle37' carries the printer 38and letter guide wheel 39. The spindle 37 hason its lower end a cylindric head 47 7 which is provided with a key 47.his head also carries a gear 40 within the base, and a disk 40" having asingle notch 40, which is adapted to be en ged by a tooth 66 on a lever66, hereina ter referred to (see Fig. 11).

The key 47 of the head is disposed diametrically of spindle 37 andprojects through an opening in the base plate 32 and is adapted toengage a corres ondingly slotted member 20 attached to t e clutch 11,when the meter is in position on the machine. Part 20, (Figs. 4 and 14)is a floating connection between the clutch 11 and spindle 37. It has aslot 20 in the top and a key 20 on its bottom arranged at right anglesto each other; which respectively engage a key and a slot on the ends ofthe s indle 37 and clutchll, while permitting o a sli ht variation inthe alinement of the spin les 30 and 37.

As shown the top plate of the machine is rovided with a horlzontalldisposed slot 1nto which the base 31 can e slid to place the meter inthe position indicated in Figs.

L and 2, the slot having grooves 31* (Fig. 4) in its sides adapted to beengaged by ribs 31* on the sides ofthe base 31 (see Fig. 7), and whenproperly placed in operative position in the machine the meter ma besecured by means of a lever (Fig. 6 having a tooth 150 adapted to engagea notch in the bottom plate 32 and provided with a finger portion 151whereby the tooth may be disengaged from the base when it is desired toremove the meter; and this catch may be normally held in engagement by aspring 152 of any suitable ind.

. When the meter is slid into place in the machine the key 47 isarranged parallel withthe longitudinal axis of the base 31,'

and is adapted to telescope with and enter the slot 20 in the upper endof the member 20.

' The printing member.

ample, as shown in my Ipatents above referred to or my Patent 0.753,207; or in Patents No. 1,274,831, and No. 1,273,793. The printingsurface may he of any suitable or desirable kind, but in the presentinstance I do not wish to provide the printer with serial numberingmechanism, although such might be used if desired.

Inseparably fixed to and mounted upon the base 31 at the outer side ofthe standard 31 is a box or case 34 having upper and lower hinged doors35 and 36 on its outer side and which case incloses the counting orregistering mechanism of the meter. Each door 35 and 36 should berovided with a' suitable lock, such as a ale lock, so that it could onlybe opened by a certain master key.

Mounted within this case 34 is a horizontally. disposed shaft 45 havinga bevel pinion 45 meshing with a bevel pinion 44 on the upper end of ashaft 44 (see Fig. 10) which is suitably journaled in the case andextends into the base 31. Motion is imlparted to the spindle 44 from theshaft 37 y means of intermediate pinions 41 and 42 respectively meshingwith pinion 40 on spindle 37, and pinion 43 on spindle 44. This gearingis adapted to drive shaft 45 at the same speed as spindle 37.

T he registering mechanism.

Mounted within the case are two separate registering mechanisms, T andL, which may be of any suitable construction. As shown each mechanismcomprises a series of usual numeral disks provided with the usualratchet and carry over devices (not shown). The upper mechanism T isadapted to be operated from shaft 45 by means of a link 45 engaging aneccentric 45 on the shaft 45; and the lower mechanism L is suitablyoperated by means of a link'45", engaging an eccentric 45 on the shaft45. The registering mechanisms per 86 form no part of the presentinvention, and therefore it is not necessary to describe the same indetail herein. The construction is such that for each rotation of thespindle 37 shafts 44 and 45 will be rotated once, and the unit numeralwheel in each registering mechanism T and L will be shifted one point.

The registering mechanisms T and L are separated by a partition 48 incase 34 so placed that when either door 35 or 36 is opened to giveaccess to the adjacent registering mechanism, the other mechanism isinaccessible, each registering mechanism is only accessible through itsrelated door.

he lower register is arranged to subtract instead of add, that is, theregistery is suitably set to a predetermined number, and at eachrevolution of the printer 38, and consequently each revolution of shaft45, the

aeraaea number appearin on register mechanism L will be diminishe byone, until the register L finally shows zero; when, as will behereinafter described, the whole register mechanism and the printer isautomatically locked against further operation.

Each numeral wheel 49 of the lower registering mechanism L has a disk 49fastened to and revolving therewith; such disk 49 has a single eripheralnotch therein and is so positioned that the notch will be in lplositionto receive a projection 50 on a 100 'ng plate 50, when zero on therelated numeral wheel 49 appears opposite the sight aperture in door 36.

A lockinglplate 50 is pivoted at 50 (Fig. 10) below t e registeringmechanism. The

late 50 has pr01ections 50, Fig. 11, on its ront end adapted to engagethe notches in the disks 49. It also has a rear end projection or finger51 that engages an opening (Fig. 9) in the end 52 of a lever 53hereinafter referred to. The plate 50 may be engaged by a spring, as at50, which normally urges its front end up to engage projections 50 withthe slots in the disks 49 and consequently lower finger 51.

A lever 53 is ivoted at 53 in "the base 31 so as to swin orizontally andthis lever has its forwarr l end upturned as at 52, (Figs. 5, 6, 9, 10,11) and this upturned end proi'ects into the path of the finger 51 ofthe ocking plate 50, and has a slot provided with an inclined portion 52(Fig. 9) ada ted to engage the correspondingly beve ed side of thefinger 51. The opposite side of the slot in end 52 is provided with a.notch 52 adapted, in one position of the lever 53, to be engaged by thefinger 51 to hold the locking plate in engagement with the locain disks49 as hereinafter described.

he inner end of the lever 53 has a segmental head 54, Fig. 11, which isada ted to close an opening 58 in the inner en of the base 31, when thelocking plate 50 has locked the re 'stering wheels. This head 54 isprovide with a socket 54 which is ada ted to re 'ster with the hole 58when the locking p ate 50 is released, as. hereinafter ex lained. Thelever 53 is en aged by a spring 55, which tends to hold it in theposition shown in Fifi. 5 and 11, when the plate 50 has locked t eregister L.

When the lower registerin mechanism L is locked by the plate 50 an theparts are in position as shown in Figs. 5, 10, and 11, the registeringmechanism cannot be shifted; nor can the lever 53 and lockin plate 50 bereleased until and unless the cor 36 is opened to permit access to aresetting lever 57. This resetting lever is pivoted at 57" in the base31, and ts inner end is connected by a link 56 with the adjacent end ofthe lever 53. Said lever 57 has an upstand- .case 34, an

ing portion 57" on its front end which extends into the case 34 inposition to be enand locking plate 50 back to their proper position inrecharging or resetting the meter. A latch 59 (Figs. 5, 6 and 11) ispivoted at its rear end within the casing and has a downwardly bentfront end that rests upon the top of the end 57' of the lever 57, whenthe meter is char ed and ready for operation; but when tEe locking plate50 looks the lower registering mechanism (thus permitting spring 55 tothrow levers 53 and 57 into the positlon shown in Figs. 5 and 11) thefront end of latch 59 drops down beside the part 57 of lever 57 andprevents resetting of the parts 53, and 57 and 50, until door 36 isopened and lever 59 raised by hand and lever 57 pushed back by hand.

Latch 59 may be depressed by a 63. Said latch is with an oscillatingderlies a si ht openin which in spring connected by a link 60 indicator61 which un- 34 in the top of icator is marked to show that the meter iseither charged or dischar ed, the meter when charged being rea y forreplacement in the machine for furtheroperation, and when dischargedbeing locked, so'that it will not operate further until reset.

When latch 59 drrps over the end 57 of lever 57 the link 60 is depressedand rocks indicator 61 to discharged at the sight opening 34.

The inking mechanism.

The printer 38 may be supplied with ink by any suitable means. I preferto em loy an inking pad or roller 123 (Fig. 1) w ich is mounted on aswingable bracket or arm 124 rigidly connected to the upper end of ashaft 23, Fig. 3, suitably mounted in the frame at one side of themeter; so that the inking roller 123 can be turned from the positionshown in full lines in Fig. 1, where it contacts with the printer 38,into the osition shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, w ere it would notcontact with the printer. The inking roller may beheld in operativeposition to enga a notch in the end of the support 124 as in icated inFi 1, this latch being controlled by a suitab e spring.

Fast to the shaft 23 is a cam14 (Figs. 3 and 4) which cam is adapted toengage the trip-link 3 and move it out of position to be en ged by thearm 2 whenever the ink to er is swung out of position to contact withthe printer, so that moving the inking roller out of contact with theprinter 38 automatically renders the trip mechanism ineffective; andthus the machine is prevented from being run without inking the printerwhen it is being used to postmark-stamp letters. Also if it is desiredto run the machine merely to seal the letters without printing them theadjustment of the inking mechanism out of the way automatically, throughthe described devices, renders the trip mechanism and the printerinoperative.

Preferably the inkin roller 123 is adjustably connected to the sfide 124by mounting the inking roller on a slide 127,- which is fastened to thesupport 124 by a thumb screw 128. When the inking roller 5 is turned outof operative position, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, it may beadjust/ed into contact with a gage pin 25, which is so fixed in themachine that if the periphery of the inking roller is set up a ainstthis gage pin when the support 124 is 1n the position indicated indotted lines in Fig. '1, then the periphery of the inkin roller will proerly exactly contact with t e printing sur aces on the printer 38 andproperly supply ink thereto when the inkin mechanism is turned tooperative position s own infull lines in Fig. 1.

Auwz'liarg locking devices.

To prevent the printer 38 being accidentally or purposely turned whenthe meter is charged but not on the machine; and to insure the alinementof the key 47' with its mating slot 20 in the clutch member 20 whenreplacing the meter in the machine; I provide auxiliary locking devicesof any suitable kind. As shown igs. 5, 7, 8, and 11) a disk 40' issecurely fastened to the gear 40 of the printer 5 indle 37 and revolveswith it. Said dis' has a notch 40 adapted to receive a lug 66 on a latch66 when the printer is at its rest position. Latch66 is pivoted at 67 inthe base and is guided by a pin 69, and said latch is normally ur ed toengage its lug 66 with notch 40 in dis 40" by sprin 68.

When the meter is 111 place in the machine a pin 17 (Figs. 3 and 4)securely fastened to art 26 enters the hole in the inner end 0 base 31occupied by pin 69, Fig. 11, and displaces pin 69, moving it backwardagainst the action of spring 68 and carrying with it the latch 66, thusdisengaging lug 66 from disk 40". meter is removed from the machine thepm 69 resumes its place as shown in Fig. 11 and latch 66 engages notch40 and locks the printer in Fl-est sition.

Latch 66 could be tampered with when the meter is ofi the machine bypressing in the pin 69 thus releasing the printer, but then the printercould not be turned 1f latch plate 50 is in locked engagement withregis- When the ter L. Even if lock plate 50 was out of lookingengagement with register L, if latch 66 was disengaged from isk 40, torelease the printer with an intention to defraud, such intent isdefeated by the fact that the registers being actuated by eccentrics theturning of the printer in either direction has the same effect on theregisters; that is, one will be added to the count of the upper registerand one subtracted from the lower register for each revolution of theprinter in either direction. The latch 66 however is intended to keepthe spindle 37 and its related key 47* in alinement with the groove inpart when the meter is removed from and replaced in the machine.

Operations.

It should be understood from the forego- 20 in description that themeter (with the rinter and the registering mechanism) is odilydetachable from the machine and. bodily attachable to the machine atwill and bearing this in mind the operation of the various mechanismsdescribed and the utility thereof will be more readily appreciated.

Before the meter is put on the machine and no letters have been stampedthereby, the total registering mechanism, T should be set to zero; theregistering mechanism L should be set in accordance with the number ofimpressions or postmark-stamps which it is desired to have the machineapply to letters before the registering mechanisms 35 shall beautomatically locked. Then the meter can be placed in the machine andoperated until the total number of impressions for which the register Lwas set have been made; these impressions may be made during onecontinued operation of the machine; or during any number of successiveoperations of the machine; but when the machine has made as manyoperations as the lower register L is initially set for, said lowerregistering mechanism will be automatically locked, and the meter canthen be removed from the machine and register L reset, by a properlyauthorized person having charge of the keys by which access can be hadto the registering devices, as above explained.

When itis desired to reset the meter after it has erformed the number ofoperations for which the lower register L was set; the meter may beremoved from the machine, 5 5 or it may be reset while on the machine,as

preferred; but ordinarily it is better to rea move the meter forresetting it; and the resetting operation is as follows To charge or setthe meter.-Unlock and open lower door 86, raise latch 59 clear of lever57, move lever 57 to the left as far as it will go; this will turn lever53 through the medium of the link 56 and the end 52 of locking lever 53will, by reason of the in- 65 clined surface 52, raise the finger 51 oflocking plate 50 and lower its front end out of engagement with thedisks 49. While lever 57 is held in this position the ten thousand orextreme left hand, numbering wheel of register L should be turned onedivision or until it shows the figure 9 so that the notch in its disk 49will not be in position to register with the related tooth 50 on plate50, and plate 50 will thereby be held disengaged from all the otherdisks 49. Lever 57 may then be released and the wheels in the numberingmechanism L turned to the desired setting, moving each wheel until theright numeral appears at the reading point, setting the ten thousandwheel last.

When the meter is thus charged the hole 54 in end of lever 53 will be inline with the hole 58 in the base 31 and will permit the entrance of thepin 8, when released by the action of the trip, thus permitting onerevolution of the printer 38; and for each operation of the printer onenumber is subtracted from the number appearing at the reading point onthe lower register L. This operation continues till the lower registerreads 00000, at which moment the slots in all the disks 49 in the lowerregister L come into alinement and the locking plate 50 will engagethem; and its finger 51 will move down in the slotted end 52 of lever 53and engage the notch 52; and lever 53 will swing over so that its end 54closes hole 58; and lever 53 moves lever 57 with it, allowing latch 59to drop, locking all the parts as described, and shifting indicator 62so that dis charged" is displayed at the sight opening 34.

The top register T is continuous in its action, and is not to be reset;and being in a different compartment of the case cannot be tampered withexcept by opening the top door 35. This top register shows the totalnumber of imprints or operations of the printerregardless of the varioussettings of the lower register.

Operation of the tripping devices.

The letter or piece of mail matter passing through the machine is fedbetween the trip rollers 21 and 22 (see Fig. 3). At this point the head1 of the trip finger 1 obstructs its passage and must be forced back toclear the way. This is accomplished by the roller 22 under action of itsspring pressing the letter against the unyielding roller 21 and fence16. The part 15 acts in a similar manner toroller 22 and serves tofurther support the end of the letter after it has left the bite of thetwo rollers 21 and 22.

When the trip finger 1 is thus forced to move it carries with it the arm2 which in turn moves link 3 and it rocks part 4* out of the path of thearm 5.

Assuming all parts to be 1n operative posi- 13o tion and condition, andthe hole 54 in lever 53 in register with the hole 58 in base 31, so thatthere is no obstruction to the pro'ection of the in 8 into the base 31.W en part 5 is re eased by the movement of part 4 the triple lever turnson its stud 5 sufiiciently to cause arm 5" to release the clutch member11' which causes clutch 11 to revolve with the spindle 30 which iscontinually in motion. During such revolution of clutch 11 cam 11engages the lower arm 5 of the triple lever and returns it to aposition'where its arm 5 will again engage finger 11 and stop lug 11 anddisengage the clutch and stop the rotation of the printer spindle 37 andconnected parts.

The trip link 3 is disengaged from arm 2 by reason of its cam-shaped end3 contacting the guide 13 as soon as the link has caused arm 4* torelease arm 5, and the spring 19 immediately returns link 3 to ositionshown in full lines in Fig. 3 wit out having to wait for the finger 1 toreturn after the passage of the letter. This insures the return of part4- in time and place to arrest arm 5 and prevent a second revolution ofthe printer.

This com letes the cycle of operations of the trip mec anism. Such oeration may be repeated indefinitely once i the passage of each letterthrough the machine, until the lower register of the meter reads zero,when the lever 53 is automatically moved to close the opening 58 andprevent pin 8 entering socket 54 and conseurlalntly preventingoscillation of part 5.

t er but wil have no effect on the printer so long as in 8 cannot entersocket 54.

he machine shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is adapted to moisten and seal envelos, sep

arate them from a pile, pass them t rough the printing mechanism, placethe desired impression thereupon, and dischar them sealed and printedready for maillng, and keep track of the number of letters operated uponat any one operation of the machine, and any series of o erations of themachine but the sealing mec anism forms no part of the presentinvention.

To enable the machine'to be used for postmark-stamping mail requiringdifferent amounts of postage, the machine may be provided with a set ofinterchangeable meters, as above described, (each meter comprising acase, a printer, and registering mechanisms constructed and adapted tooperate as above described) but the printer in eachcase bearing apostmark-stamp die of a denomination different from those of theprinters in the other meters. Thus one meter could be used for printingand registering 2 postage; another 3 posta e; another 6 postage, and soon, aocor ing to the varieties of postage and the amo'untof or andduring parts of the trip are free to move,.

postage required. As each machine and meter is designed to operate uponlarge numbers of letters of substantially the same size and requiringlike postage, it is very easy to insert into the machine a meter of thedesired denomination of postage; and when letters requiring a differentamount of postage are to be run through the machine, such meter can beremoved and another meter substituted therefor adapted to print theproper value of postage upon the letters.

In order to obviate the possibility of any of the mechanisms beingjammed orinjured in case the actuating mechanism contained in the meterfails to roperly operate, I preferably arrange a riction clutch at asuitable point between the power mechanism and the roller clutch 11,preferably by connecting the gear 230 to shaft 30 by means of a frictionclutch, so that if there should be any binding or failure of the partsof the meter to work properly the friction. clutch would sli andthusprevent injury to any of the ot or parts by reason of the positiveaction of the roller clutch.

What I claim is 1. In a machine of the character specified, means forfeeding letters past a printing point; a meter bodily removable from andreplaceable in the machine adjacent the printing oint, said metercarrying printing means aribpted to be operated w en the meter is in themachine; a trip mechanism adapted to be tripped by letters passingthrough the machine; and means controlled by the trip mechanism for ocrating the printing means each time a etter passes through the machine;with means for automatically locking the rinting means when the meter isremoved f zom the machine.

2. In a machine of the character specified in claim 1, means in themeter for automatically preventing the operation of the printing meanswhen it has made a predetermined number of revolutions.

3. In a. postmark stam'ping machine havingmeans for feeding letters pasta printing point; and an impression member in the machine at theprinting point; of a meter bodily removable from and replaceable in themachine adjacent the printing point,

said meter carrying a printer adapted to cooperate with the impressionmember when the meter is ,in the machine; a trip mechanism adapted to beactuated by the letters passin through the machine; andmeans contro ledby the trip mechanism for operating the printer once each time a letterasses through the machine; with means for ocking the printer when themeter is removed from the machine.

4, In a mail marking machine the combination of a. printing membernumbering wheels; means for shifting said numbering wheels one unit foreach eflective operation of the printing member; mechanism for directingmail matter past said member to receive lmpressions therefrom; saidprinting member being bodily removable from and replaceable in saidmachine; means adapted to prevent shifting of said numbering wheels whensaid printing member is removed from the machine; and means whereby saidfirst means is automatically released when the wheels are replaced inoperative position in the machine.

5. In a postmark-stamping machine as set forth in claim 3, means in themeter for automatically preventing the operation of the printer when ithas made a predetermined number of revolutions.

6. In a machine as set forth in claim 1, means for inking the printer,and means whereby the trip mechanism is rendered ineffective if theinking means is not in operative position.

7. In a machine as set forth'in claim 3, means for inking the printer,and means whereby the trip mechanism is rendered ineffective if theinking means is not in operative position.

8. In mechanism as set forth in claim 1, a registering mechanism in themeter, means for operating the registering mechanism one point for eachoperation of the printing means, and means for lockin the registeringmechansm when the printing means has made a predetermined number ofoperations.

9. In mechanism as set forth in claim 3, a registering mechanism in themeter, means for operating the registering mechanism one point for eachoperation of the printing means, and means for locking the registeringmechanism when the printin means has made a predetermined number 0operations.

10. In a mail marking machine the combination of an impression member; aprinting member cooperating with said impres sion member; mechanism fordirecting mail matter between the impression and printing members toreceive impressions, numeral wheels, and means for actuating said wheelsfrom theprinting member, said printing member and numeral wh eels beingto ether bodily removable from and replaces. le in operative position;means to prevent shift ing of said numeral wheels when they are removedfrom the machine; and means whereby said first means is automaticallyreleased when the wheels are replaced in operative position in themachine.

11. In a mail marking machine the combination of a printing member;feeding mechanism for carrying mail matter past said member in positionto receive impressions therefrom; and numbering wheels operativelyconnected with said member, and removable with said member from andreplaceable with said member in said feeding mechanism; means adapted torevent shifting of said numbering whee s when said member is removedfrom the machine; and means whereby the first means is automati- .callyreleased when the member and numbering wheels are replaced in operativeposition in the machine.

12. In a machine of the character specified, means for forwardingletters past the printing point; clutch controlled driving means foroperating the rinting means and a trip mechanism adapted to be operatedby a letter passin through the machine for releasing the c utch to causethe printing means to operate once for each letter passing through t emachine; with a removable meter adapted to be placed in the machine,said meter carrying rinting means, and means for automatical yoperatively engaging the rinting means with the clutch controlled rivingmeans as and when the meter is properly positioned in the machine; andmeans for automatically locking the printing means when the meter isremoved from the machine.

13. In a machine as set forth in claim 12, means in the meter forautomatically preventing the operation of the printing means when it hasmade a predetermined number of operations.

14. In a machine of the character specified, means for forwardingletters past the printing point; impression means at the printing oint;clutch controlled means for driving the printer; and a trip mechanismadapted to be operated by a letter passing through the machine forreleasing the clutch to cause the printer to make one revolution foreach letter assing through the machine; with a remova le meter adaptedto be placed in the machine adjacent the printing point, said metercarrying a printer adapted to cooperate with the impression means; andmeans for automatically operatively engaging the printer with the clutchcontrolled printer driving means as and when the meter is properlypositioned in the machine; and means for automatically locking theprinter when the meter is removed from the machine.

15. In a machine as set forth in claim 14, means in the meter forautomatically preventing the operation of the printer when it has made apredetermined number of revolutions.

16. In mechanism as set forth in claim 12, a registering mechanism inthe meter, means for operating the registering mechanism one point foreach operation of the printing means; and means for locking theregistering mechanism when the printing means has made a predeterminednumber of operations.

17. In mechanism as set forth in claim finger adapted to be engaged by aenses 13, a registering mechanism in the meter,-

means for operating the registering mechanism one point) for eachoperation of the printing means;'and means for locking the registeringmechanism when the printing means has made a predetermined number ofoperations.

18. In mechanism as set forth in claim 14, a registering mechanism inthe meter, means forv operating the registering mechanism one point foreach rotation of the printer, and means for locking the registeringmechanism when the rinter has made a predetermined number 0 operations.

19. In mechanism as set forth in claim 15, a registering mechanism inthe meter, means for operating the registering mechanism one point foreach rotation of the printer, and means for locking the registermgmechanism when the printer has made a predetermined number ofoperations.

20. In a machine of the character specified, the combination of meansfor forwarding letters, a trip adapted to be engaged by a passingletter, a rinter actuatlng member, a driven shaft, a c utch member forconnecting the printer actuating member to the driven shaft, a leveradapted to hold the clutch member inactive, a stop adapted to hold saidlever engaged with the clutch; a trip link connected with the stop andmeans connected with the trip adapted to move the link and cause the etcto release the lever when the trip is moved by a letter.

21. In mechanism as set forth in claim 20, means for automaticallydisengaging the link from the trip to permit the stop to move to ositionto cause the lever to disengage t e clutch member and stop the printerwhen the same has made one revolution.

22. In mechanism as set forth in claim 20, a cam carried b the clutchmember adapted to engage said lever and return it to position todisengage the clutch and stop the rotation of the printer when thelatter has made one revolution.

23. In mechanism as set forth in claim 21, a cam carried by the clutchmember adapted to engage sald lever and return it to'position toisengage the clutch and stop the rotation of the printer when the latterhas made one revolution.

24. In a machine of the character specified, means for forwardingletters; a trip passing letter; a printer actuating member; a drivenshaft; a clutch for connecting the printer actuating member to thedriven shaft; a lever adapted to engage the clutch and sto the rotationof the printer; a stop adapte to enga said lever to hold the clutchdisenga a trip link connected with the stop, and an arm connected withthe trip finger adapted to engage the trip link and.

cause the latter to move the stop arm and release the said lever-whenthe trip finger is moved by a letter.

25. In mechanism as set forth in claim 24, means for automaticallydisengaging the'trip link from the trip arm to permlt the stop to moveto the position to engage the lever and cause it to disengage t e clutchand stop the printer when the same has made one revolution.

26. In mechanism as set forth in claim 24 a cam carried by the clutchadapted to engage an arm on said lever and return it to position todisengage the clutch and sto the rotation of the printer when it has mae one revolution.

27. In mechanism as set forth in claim 25, a cam carried by the clutchadapted to engage an arm on said lever and return it to position todisengage the clutch and stop the rotation of the printer when it hasmade one revolution.

28. In mechanisms as set forth in claim 20 a vibrating memberoperatively connected with the lever; and a spring pressed pin engagedwith said member; with a removable meter carrying mechanism forregistering the number of operations of the printer; means in said meterfor lockin the register? ing mechanism, and devices in said meterwhereby when the registering mechanism is locked and the meter is in themachine the said pin is arrested in such position that it will throughits connections prevent said lever releasing the clutch.

29. In mechanism as set forth in claim 21 a vibrating member operativelyconnected with the lever; and a spring pressed pin engaged with saidmember; with a removable meter carryin mechanism for registering thenumber 0 operations of the printer means in said meter for locking theregistering mechanism, and devices in said meter whereby when theregisterin mechanism is locked and the meter is in the machine the saidpin is arrested in such position that it will through its connectionsprevent said lever releasing the clutch.

30. In mechanism as set forth in claim 22 a vibratin member operativelyconnected with the ever; and a spring ressed pin engaged with saidmember; wit a removable meter carrying mechanism for registering thenumber of operations of the printer; means in said meter for locking theregistering mechanism, and devices in said meter whereb when theregistering mechanism is locked and the meter is in the machine the saidpin is arrested in such position that it will through its connectionsprevent said lever releasin the clutch.

31. In mechanism as set orth in claim 24 a vibrating member operativelyconnected with the lever; and a spring pressed pin engaged with saidmember; with a removable meter carrying mechanism for registering thenumber of operations of the printer; means in said meter for locking theregistering mechanism, and devices in said meter whereby when theregistering mechanism is locked and the meter is in the machine the saidpin is arrested in such position that it will through its connectionsprevent said lever releasing the clutch.

32. In mechanism as set forth in claim 25, a vibrating memberoperatively connected with the lever; and a spring pressed pin engagedwith said member; with a removable meter carryin mechanism forregistering the number 0 operations -of the printer; means in said meterfor locking the registering mechanism, and devices in said meter wherebywhen the registerin mechanism is locked and the meter is in t e machinethe said pin is arrested in such position that it will through itsconnections prevent said lever releasing the clutch.

33. In mechanism as set forth in claim 26 a vibrating member operativelyconnected with the lever; and a spring pressed pin engaged with saidmember; with a removable meter carrying mechanism for registering thenumber of operations of the printer; means in said meter for locking theregistering mechanism, and devices in said meter whereby when theregistering mechanism is locked and the meter is in the machine the saidpin is arrested in such position that it will through its connectionsprevent said lever releasing the clutch.

34. In mechanisms as set forth in claim20, a link connected with thelever for holding the clutch member inactive; a swingable member,connected with said link; and a spring pressed pin urging the member inone direction; with a meter carrying the printer and mechanism forregistering the number of operations of the printer; devices in saidmeter for locking the registering mechanism, and devices in said meterwhereby when the registering mechanism is locked the pin is arrested insuch position that it will through its connections prevent said leverreleasm the clutch.

3 5. In mecfianism as set forth in claim 21, a link connected with thelever for holding the clutch member inactive; a swingable member,connected with said link; and a spring pressed pin urging the member inone direction; with ameter carrying the printer and mechanism forregisterin the number of operations of the rlnter; evices in said meterfor locking e re stering mechanism; and devices in sai meter wherebywhen the registering mechanism is locked the pin is arrested in suchposition that it will through its connections prevent said leverreleasing the clutch.

36. In mechanism as set forth in claim 22,

a link connected with the lever for holding the clutch member inactive;a swingable member, connected with said link; and a spring pressed pinurging the member in one direction; with a meter carrying this printerand mechanism for registering the number of operations of the printer;devices in said meter for locking the re 'stering mechanism, and devicesin sai meter whereby when the registering mechanism is locked the pin isarrested in such position that it will throu h its connections preventsaid lever releasing he clutch.

37 In mechanism as set forth in claim 24, a link connected with theclutch engaging lever; a swin able member, connected with said link; ana spring pressed pin urging the member in one direction; with a metercarrying the printer and mechanism for registering the number ofoperations of the printer; devices in said meter for locking theregisterin mechanism, and devices in said meter w ereby when theregistering mechanism is locked the pin is arrested in such positionthat it will through its con nections prevent said lever releasing theclutch.

38. In mechanism as set forth in claim 25, a link connected with theclutch engaging lever; a swin able member, connected with said link; ana spring pressed pin urging the member in one direction; with a metercarrying the printer and mechanism for registering the number ofoperations of the printer; devices in said meter for locking theregistering mechanism, and devices in said meter whereby when theregistering mechanism is locked the pin is arrested in such positionthat it will through its connections prevent said lever releasing theclutch.

39. In mechanism as set forth in claim 26, a link connected with theclutch en aging lever; a swin able member, connecte with said link; an aspring pressed pin urging.

the member in one direction; with a meter carrying the printer andmechanism for registering the number of operations of the printer;devices in said meter for locking the registering mechanism, and devicesin said meter whereby when the registering mechanism is locked the in isarrested in such position that it will through its connections reventsaid lever releasing the clutch.

40. n mechanism as specified in claim 20, a printer carrying spindlehaving a kc and a member having a slot adapted to be engaged by saidkey, said member being connected ivith the clutch member.

41. In mechanism as specified in claim 21 a printer carrying spindlehaving a ke an a member having a slot ada ted to be engaged by said key,said mem er being connected with the clutch member.

42. In mechanism as specified in claim 22,

a printer carrying spindle having a ke an a member having a slot ada tedto engaged by said key, said member eing connected with the clutchmember.

43. In mechanism as specified in claim 24 a printer carrying spindlehaving a key; an

a member having a slot ada ted to be engaged by said key said mem erbeing connected with the clutch member.

44. In mechanism as specified in claim 25, a printer carrying spindlehaving a ke an a member having a slot ada ted to e engaged by said key,said mem r being connected with the clutch member.

45. In mechanism as specified in claim 26 a printer carrying spindlehaving a ke an a member having a slot ada ted to be engaged by said key,said mem er being connected with the clutch member.

46. In mechanism as set forth in claim 20, means for inking the printer;.a movable support for the inking means; and a device connected withsaid sup ort whereby when the inker is moved out 0? operative positionthe trip link cannot be operated by the trip and the printer isprevented from operating.

47. In combination with mechanism as set forth in claim 21, means forinking the printer; a movable support for the inkin means; and a deviceconnected with sai support whereby when the inker is moved out ofoperative position the trip link cannot be operated by the trip and theprinter is prevented from operating.

48. In combination with mechanism as set forth in claim 22, means forinking the printer; a movable support for the inkin means; and a deviceconnected with said support whereby when the inker is moved out ofoperative position the trip link cannot be operated by the trip and theprinter is prevented from operating.

49. In combination with mechanism as set forth in claim 24, means forinking the printer; a movable support for the inking means; and a deviceconnected with said support whereby when the inker is moved out ofoperative position the trip link cannot be operated by the trip and theprinter is prevented from operating.

50. In combination with mechanism as set forth in claim 25, means forinking the printer; a movable support for the inking means; and a deviceconnected with said support whereby when the inker is moved out ofoperative position the trip link cannot be operated by the trip and theprinter is prevented from operating.

51. In combination with mechanism as set forth in claim 26, means forinking the printer; a movable support for the inkin means; and a deviceconnected with sai support whereby when the inker is moved out ofoperative position the trip link canforth in claim 20- means for inkingthe printer; a swingable support for the inking means; and a cam mem erconnected with said support adapted when the inker has moved out ofoperative position to engage the trip link and hold it out of engagementwith the trip arm, the clutch releasing mechanism being thereby renderedineffective and the printer prevented from operating.

53. In combination with mechanisms as set forth in claim 21, means forinking the printer; a swingable sup ort for the inkin means; and a cammem er connected wit said support adapted when the inker has moved outof o erative position to engage the trip link an hold it out ofengagement with the trip arm, the clutch releasing mechanism beingthereby rendered ineffective and the printer prevented from operating.

54. In combination with mechanisms as set forth in claim 22, means forinking the printer; a swingable support for the inkin means; and a cammember connected wit said support adapted when the inker has moved outof orative position to engage the trip link an hold it out of engagementwith the trip arm the clutch releasm mechanism being thereby renderedineffective and the printer prevented from operating.

55. In combination with mechanisms as set forth in claim 24, means forinking the printer; a swingable support for the inkin means; and a cammember connected wit said support adapted when the inker has moved outof operative position to engage the trip link and hold it out ofengagement with the trip arm, the clutch releaslng mechanism beingthereby rendered ineffective and the printer prevented from operating.

56. In combination with mechanisms as set forth'in claim 25, means forinkin the printer; a swinging sup ort for the in ing means; and a cammem er connected with said support adapted. when the inker has moved outof operative position to engage the trip link and hold it out ofengagement with the trip arm, the clutch releasing mechanism beingthereby rendered inefi'ective and the printer prevented from operating.

57. In combination with mechanisms as set forth in claim 26, means forinking the printer; 2. swingable support for the inking means; and a cammember connected with said support adapted when the inker has moved outof. operative position to engage the trip link and hold it out ofengagement with the trip arm, the clutch releasing mech anism beingthereby rendered ineifeotive and the printer revented from operating.

58. In a machine of the character specified; a printer carrying spindlehaving a head provided with a key; a continually driven shaft; a memberadapted to be driven by said shaft having a slot adapted to be engagedby the spindle key; and a clutch for connecting said member with theshaft.

59. In mechanism as specified in claim 1, a printer carrying spindle inthe meter provided with a part projecting outside the meter casing; acontinually driven shaft; a member adapted to be engaged by said partwhen the meter is positioned in the machine; and clutch means forconnecting such member with the continuously driven shaft when permittedby the trip mechanism.

60. In mechanisms as specified in claim 2, a printer carrying spindle inthe meter provided with a part projecting outside the meter casing; acontinually driven shaft; a member adapted to be engaged by said partwhen the meter is positioned in the machlne; and clutch means forconnecting such member with the continuously driven shaft when permittedby the trip mechanism.

61. In mechanisms as specified in claim 3, a printer carrying spindle inthe meter provided with a part projecting outside the meter casing; acontinually driven shaft; a member adapted to be engaged by said partwhen the meter is positioned in the machlne; and clutch means forconnecting such member with the continuously driven shaft when permittedby the trip mechanism.

62. In a mail marking machine the combination of a printing member,means for operating said wheels by and from said member, numberingwheels, mechanism for directing mail matter past said member to receiveimpressions therefrom, said printing member and numbering wheels beingbodily removable from and replaceable in said machine, mechanism forlocking said numbering wheels when they have reached a predeterminedamount; means adapted to prevent shifting of said numbering Wheels whensaid printing member is removed from the machine; and means whereby thefirst means is automatically released when the wheels are replaced inoperative position in the machine.

63. In mechanisms as specified in claim 6, a printer carrying spindle inthe meter provided with a part projecting outside the meter casing; acontinually driven shaft; a member adapted to be engaged by said partwhen the meter is positioned in the machine; and clutch means forconnecting such member with the continuously driven shaft when permittedby the trip mechanism.

64. In mechanisms as specified in claim 8, a printer carrying spindle inthe meter provided with a part projecting outside the meter casing; acontinually driven shaft; a member adapted to be engaged by said partwhen the meter is positioned in the machine; and clutch means forconnecting such member with the continuously driven shaft when permittedby the trip mechanism.

65. In a mail marking machine the combination of an impression member; aprinting member, numeral wheels, means for operating said wheels by andfrom said printing member; mechanism for directing mail matter betweenthe impression and printing. members to receive impressions; saidprinting member and numeral wheels being together bodily removable fromand replaceable in o erative position; mechanism for locking saidnumeral wheels when they have reached apredetermined amount; means forpreventing unauthorized resetting of said numeral wheels when they areremoved from the machine; and means whereby the preventing means isautomatically released when thewheels are replaced in operative positionin the machine.

66. In mechanisms as specified in claim 12, a rinter carrying spindle inthe meter provi ed with a part projecting outside the meter casing; acontinually driven shaft; a member adapted to be engaged by said partwhen the meter is positioned in the machine; and clutch means forconnecting such member with the continuously driven shaft when permittedby the trip mechanism.

67. In a mail marking machine the combination of a printing member;feeding mechanism for carrying mail matter past said member in positionto receive impressions therefrom; numbering mechanism, means foroperating said numbering mechanism by and from the rinting member; acasing carrying said printing member and numbering mechanism; saidcasing being bodily removable from and replaceable in said machine;means for preventing unauthorized resetting of said numbering mechanismwhen removed from the machine; and means whereby the preventing means isautomatically released when the wheels are replaced in operativeposition in the machine.

68. In mechanisms as specified in claim 14, a rinter carrying spindle inthe meter provi ed with a part projecting outside the meter casing; acontinually driven shaft; 3.. member adapted to be engaged by said partwhen the meter is positioned in the machine; and clutch means forconnecting such member with the continuously driven shaft when ermittedby the trip mechanism.

69. n mechanism for the purpose specified, the combination of printingmechanism, numbering wheels; means for shifting the proper wheels ateach printing operation of said printing member; means adapted toautomatically lock said wheels against further operation after apredetermined number of impressions have been made, said wheelsoperating in a descending series until each numeral wheel in propersequence shows zero at the point of printing contact; said printingmechanism and numbering wheels being removable from and replaceable insaid machine; means for preventing unauthorized resettin of saidnumbering wheels when removed rom the machine; and means whereby thepreventing means is automatically released when the wheels are replacedin 0perativeposition in the machine.

70. In mechanism for the purpose s ecified, the combination of aprinting mem er; numeral wheels; means for shifting the proper wheel ateach printing operation; means adapted to automatically lock said set ofwheels against further operation after a predetermined number ofimpressions have been made, said wheels operating in a descendingseries; a second set of numeral wheels; means for operating numeralwheels in the second set in an ascending series in proper sequence withthe first numeral wheels; said sets of wheels bein bodily removable fromand replaceable 1n said machine; means for preventing unauthorizedresetting of said sets of numeral wheels when i remove from the machine;and means whereby the preventing means is automatically released whenthe wheels are replaced in operative position in the machine.

71. In a mail marking machine the combination of an impression member; aprinting member cooperating with said impression member; mechanism fordirecting mail matter between the impression and printing members toreceive impressions; a set of numeral wheels; means for operating saidnumeral wheels by and from the'printing member; said printing member andwheels being bodily removable from the machine and replaceable therein;means to prevent shifting of said numeral wheels when removed from themachine; and means whereby the said means is automatically released whenthe printing member and wheels are replaced in operatlve osition in themachine.

72. In a mail marking machine the combination of an impression member; aprinting member cooperating with said impression member; mechanism fordirecting mail matter between the impression and printing members toreceive impressions, a set of numeral wheels; means for operating saidnumeral wheels by and from the printing member; said printing member andnumeral wheels being bodily removable from and replaceable in o erativeposition; mechanism for locking said numeral wheels when they 7 havereached a predetermined amount; means for preventing unauthorizedresetting of said numeral wheels when they are removed from the machine;and means whereby the preventing means is automatically released whenthe printing member and wheels are replaced in operative position m themachine.

73. In mechanisms as set forth in elaim 2,

a printer carrying spindle in the meter provided with a key projectingoutside the meter casing; a continually driven shaft in the machine; amember adapted to be driven by said shaft, said member having a slotadapted to be engaged by the said key when the meter is positioned inthe machine; and a clutch for connecting this member with the shaft whenpermitted by the trip mechamsm.

74. In mechanisms as set forth in claim 3, a printer carrying spindle inthe meter provided with a key projecting outside the meter casing; acontinually driven shaft in the machine; a member adapted to be drivenby said shaft, said member having a slot adapted to be engaged by thesaid key when the meter is positioned in the machine; and a clutch forconnecting this member with the shaft when permitted by the tripmechanism.

75. In a mail marking machine the combination of a printing member;feeding ,the locking means is automatically released.

when the wheels are replaced in operative position in the machine.

76. Inmechanism as set forth in claim 8, a second registering mechanismin the meter; and means for operating this second mechanismsimultaneously with and by the mechanism for operating the firstregisteringmechanism.

. In mechanisms as set forth in claim 8,

a printer carrying spindle in the meter provided with a key projectingoutside the meter casing; a continually driven shaft in the machine amember adapted to be driven by said shaft, saidmember having a slotadapted to be engagedby the said key when the meter is positioned in themachine; and

a clutch for connecting this member with the shaft when permitted by thetrip mech- 12o anism.

78. In mechanism as set forth in claim 76, means whereby access cannotbe had to either registering mechanism except through a related openingin the meter casing.

79. Inmechanisms as setflforth Iiln claim 12, a rinter carrying spin ein t e me er providhd with a key, projecting outside the meter casing; acontinually driven shaft n the machine; a member adapted to be driven180 by said shaft, said member having a slot adapted to be engaged bythe said key when the meter is positioned in the machine; and a clutch.for connecting this member with the-shaft when permitted by the tripmechanism. p i

80. In mechanism as set forth in claim 12, a second registeringmechanism in the meter; and means foroperating this second mechanismsimultaneously with and by the mechanism for operating the firstregistering mechanism. y

81. In mechanisms as set forth in claim 14, a rinter carrying spindle inthe meter provi ed with a key projecting outside the meter casing; acontinually drlven shaft in the machine; a member adapted to be driven bsaid shaft, said member having a slot adapted to be engaged by the saidkey when the meter is positioned in the machine; and a clutch forconnecting this member with the shaft when permitted by the tripmechanism.

82. In mechanism as set forth in claim 80, means whereby access cannotbe had to either registering mechanism except through a related openingin the meter casing.

83. In mechanism as set forth in c aim 13, a second registeringmechanism in the meter; and means for operating this second mechanismsimultaneously with and by the mechanism for operating the firstregistering mechanism.

8 4. In mechanism as set forth in claim 83; separate doors in the metercasing permitting access to the respective registering mechanisms, andmeans whereby access cannot be had to either registering mechanismexcept through its own door.

85. In a machine of the character specified having means for feedingletters past a printing point; a continuously driven shaft; a printerdriving member; clutch means for connecting said member to said shaft;means for arresting this member. at each revolution thereof; a tripadapted to be actuated by letters passing through the machine; and meanscontrolled by the trip for releasing the clutch and permitting the saidmember to rotate once for each letter passing through .the machine; witha removable printer having a key on its spindle adapted to engage acorresponding slot in the said printer driving member when the meter isplaced in the machine.

86. In a machine of the character specifiedhaving means for feedingletters past a printing point; a continuously driven shaft; a memberadapted to be driven by said shaft and having a slot in its upper end;clutch means for connecting said member with said shaft; means forarresting this member after each revolution thereof; a trip adapted tobe actuated by letters passing through the machihe; and means controlledby the trip for releasing the clutch and permitting the said member torotate once for each letter passing through the machine; with a metercarrying a rinter and registering mechanism, said printer having a keyon its spindle adapted to engage the corresponding slot in said memberwhen the meter is placed in the machine.

87. In a machine of the character specified, a printer, a notched diskon the printer, a latch adapted to engage the notch in said disk to lockthe printer; a 5 ring adapted to cause the latch to engage t e notch;and a pin adapted to hold the latch out of engagement with the notchwhen the printer is in position in the machine.

88. In a machine of the character specified, a removable meter carryinga printer, a notched disk on the printer, a latch in the meter adaptedto engage the notch in the disk to Ice the printer; a spring adapted tocause the latch to engage the notch when the meter is removed from themachine; and a pin attached to the machine adapted to hold the latch outof engagement with the notch when the meter is in position in themachine.

89. In a machine of the character specified, a meter carrying a printer,a notched disk on the printer spindle, a latch pivoted in the meter andhaving a tooth ada ted to engage the said notched disk and loc theprinter; a pin engaging said latch, a spring adapted to pro'ect the pinand cause the latch to engage t e notch when the meter is removed fromthe machine and a pin attached to the machine'and adapted to enter themeter casing and engage the pin therein and hold the latch out ofengagement with the notch when the meter is in position in the machine.

90. In a machine of the character specified a meter, a registeringmechanism therein, and a member adapted to lock the numeral wheels andhaving a finger; a lever pivoted in the meter casing having a camengaged by said finger; a printer; means for operating the registeringnumeral wheels one point for each operation of the printer; and meansoperated by said lever whereby when the reglstering mechanism has made apredetermined number of operations further operations of the printer areprevented; with a resetting lever connected with the cam lever andinclosed within the meter casing, said resetting lever being onlyaccessible when the meter casing is opened.

91. In mechanism as set forth in claim 90, a locking lever in the casingadapted to engage the resetting lever when the locking mem er locks thenumeral wheels, substantially as described.

92. In mechanism as set forth in claim 90, auxiliary means for lockingthe printer when the meter is removed from the machine, substantially asdescribed.

i printer;

93. In mechanism as set forth in claim 91, auxiliary means for lockingthe printer when the meter is removed from the machine, substantially asdescribed.

94. n a machine of the character s ecified, a meter, a registeringmechanism t erein having a series of numeral wheels and a notched diskconnected with each wheel; a locking plate adapted to engage the notchesin the disks when allof the numeral wheels are at zero and lock theregistering mechanism, a lever pivoted in the meter casing provided witha cam slot, said lockin plate having a finger adapted to engage said camslot; a printer connected with the meter; means for operating theregistering numeral wheels one point for each rotation of the and meansconnected with said lever whereby when the registering mechanism hasmade a predetermined number of operations further rotation of theprinter is prevented; with a resetting lever connected with the camlever and inclosed within the meter casing, said resetting lever beingonly accessible when the meter casin is o ened.

95. In mechanism as set fort in c aim94, a locking lever in the casingadapted to enga e the looking or resetting lever when the loo ing platelocks the numeral wheels, substantially as described.

96. In mechanism as set forth in claim 94, auxiliary means for lockingthe printer when the meter is removed from the machine, substantially asdescribed.

97 In mechanism as set forth in claim 95, auxiliary means for lockingthe printer when the meter is removed from the machine, substantially asdescribed.

98. In combination with mechanism as set forth in claim 90, an indicatorwithin the meter casing and connections between the indicator and thenumeral wheel locking means whereby the indicator is shifted and held inosition to indicate either the charged or discl iarged condition of theregisterlng mechanism.

99. In combination with mechanism as set forth in claim 91, an indicatorwithin the meter casing and connections between the indicator and thenumeral wheel locking means whereby the indicator is shifted and held inposition to indicate either the charged or discharged condition of theregistering mechanism.

100. In combination with mechanism as set forth in claim 92, anindicator within the meter casing and connections between the indicatorand the numeral wheel lockin means whereby the indicator is shifted andheld in position to indicate either the charged or discharged conditionof the registering mechanism. I

101. In combination with mechanism as set forth in claim 94, anindicator within the meter casing and connections between the indicatorand the numeral wheel locking means whereby the indicator is shifted andheld in position to indicate either the char ed or discharged conditionof the registering mechanism.

102. In combination with mechanism as set forth in claim 95, anindicator within the meter casing and connections between the indicatorand the numeral wheel locking means whereby the indicator is shifted andheld in osition to indicate either the charged or discharged conditionof the registerln mechanism.

103. n mechanism as set forth in claim 16, a second registeringmechanism in the meter; and means for operating this second mechanismsimultaneously with and by the mechanism for operating the firstregistering mechanism.

104. In mechanism as set forth in claim 18, a second registeringmechanism in the meter; and means for operating this second mechanismsimultaneously with and by the mechanism for operating the firstregistering mechanism.

105. In mechanism as set forth in claim 103, means whereby access cannotbe had to either registering mechanism except through .a related openingin the meter casing.

106. In mechanism as set forth in claim 16, a second registeringmechanism in the meter casing; means for operating this second mechanismsimultaneously with and by the mechanism for operating the firstregistering mechanism; separate doors in the meter casing ermittingaccess to the respective registering mechanisms, and means wherebyaccess cannot be had to either registering mechanism except through itsown oor.

107. In mechanism as set forth in claim 18, 'a second registeringmechanism in the meter casing; means for operating this second mechanismsimultaneously with and by the mechanism for operating the firstregistering mechanism; separate doors in the meter casing permittingaccess to the respective registering mechanisms, and means wherebyaccess cannot be had to either registering mechanism except through itsown oor.

108. In mechanisms as set forth in claim 28, a second registeringmechanism in the meter casing;.and means for operatin this secondmechanism simultaneously wit and by the mechanism for operating thefirst registering mechanism.

109. In mechanism as set forth in claim 34, a second registeringmechanism in the meter casing; and means for operating this secondmechanism simultaneously with and b the mechanism for operating thefirst registering mechanism.

110. In mechanism as set forth in claim 28, a second registeringmechanism in the

